By Alieu Amara Suwu
Depending on the diplomatic relationship between the Government of Sierra Leone and Sweden, the latter has graciously opened an Honorary Consulate in Sierra Leone, a programme that was held on May 7, 2024.
Activities of the Consulate would include protecting the interests of their citizens temporarily or permanently resident in Sierra Leone, issuing passports, issuing visas to foreigners, and public diplomacy. And the consul would be an official representative of the Kingdom of Sweden who would assist and protect the citizens of their countries and would promote and facilitate commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the opening, Harish Agnani, Consul of the Swedish Consulate in Sierra Leone, said that day is not only about the opening of the Consulate office but also the beginning of a promising new chapter as he takes on the role of the Honorary Consul of Sweden to Sierra Leone.
Agnani said he is deeply honoured by this appointment and therefore extends gratitude to the Ambassador, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and his dedicated staff for their indispensable support throughout his appointment process, noting that their presence that day is a testament to their shared goals and the robust partnership that they aim to build.
On his commitment, he said he is dedicated to fostering the two countries mutual objectives and ensuring that their collaborations are marked by success and lasting friendship, and together, “let’s embrace this opportunity to make a significant impact.”
Victoria Sulaimani, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed that President Maada Bio is pleased with Sweden’s endeavor to further deepen this friendly and mutually beneficial relationship between the two governments and the people of Sweden and Sierra Leone.
She said, “Today is a direct testament to the excellent bilateral relations that have evolved over the past years and which gained considerable impetus in the 1980s when Sweden commenced its in-country cooperation programme in Sierra Leone, focusing on supporting their countries social protection policies and programmes including the empowerment of women and girls and human capital development.”
She noted that the generosity of the Swedish government has been quite impactful in the education and health sectors.
“Swedish support of free quality education, which facilitated the return of half a million children back to school in 2002 and 2005, respectively, has been most beneficial to the people of Sierra Leone. Today, some of our communities have become direct beneficiaries of your cooperation with basic infrastructure such as health clinics and schools.”
Moreover, it is on this note of optimism that she said that the establishment of the Consulate in Freetown is indeed the high point of their excellent diplomatic relations and will certainly serve as a major catalyst for the further strengthening and deepening of their bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of their people.
Urban Sjostrom, Ambassador of Sweden to Sierra Leone with Residence in Liberia, said he is happy that they are now able to open the Swedish Honorary Consulate in Freetown, which he said constitutes evidence of the longstanding relations between Sierra Leone and Sweden.
He expressed delight that they have found a model where they share the same honorary consul as Norway, and this reflects their close Nordic cooperation. And they said they are very grateful for Sierra Leone’s commitment, professionalism, and service, and they look forward to their collaboration.
For him, as the Swedish Ambassador based in Liberia and accredited to Sierra Leone, it is always rewarding to come to Freetown.
He said it is also rewarding to follow the development in the country, and he is happy to learn about the implementation of the agreement on national unity, aiming for a future-oriented, inclusive, and pluralistic democracy based on national unity.
